UNC Jazz Press

Name: UNC Jazz Press
Address: 501 20th Street, Campus Box 28, Greeley, CO, 80639, US
Telephone: (970) 351-2577

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UNC Jazz Press

UNC Jazz Press prints, publishes, and distributes jazz music all over the world, and is one of the largest catalogs of its kind.

In 1977, UNC Jazz Studies Director Gene Aitken founded Jazz Press in an effort to help publish outstanding student composers and alumni and help them gain recognition. The first charts were produced using a technique from Los Angeles called the Ozalid Process. UNC students and LA copyists copied parts and Jazz Studies TAs were responsible for producing the finished parts. Guitar student Fred Hamil

ton and drummer Chris Hughes were the first students to have charts published through Jazz Press, and Flesher-Hinton Music’s Ken Anderson agreed to sell their charts in his store in Denver. When Fred Hamilton interviewed for a job at Bowling Green University, he was recognized for his published charts. Wanting to increase exposure for his student composers, Gene placed ads in the National Association of Jazz Educators’ magazine and sold charts at conventions and through word of mouth. As advertising spread, requests for publication began to come in from students at other schools. When notable composers such as Vince Mendoza and Jim McNeely began to send charts, Gene Aitken opened the Jazz Press doors to original compositions and arrangements of students and established composers alike. The increasing financial gains from Jazz Press began to help support the UNC Jazz Studies Program, funding scholarships and the purchase of departmental equipment. At this time, Jazz Press also began to publish copyrighted material, paying royalties to composers and publishing houses such as Hal Leonard and Warner Brothers. In January 2009, UNC Jazz Press launched the current website and began functioning as an online store. Today, Jazz Press is one of the largest jazz publishers in the world, holding the rights to nearly 3,000 charts for big band, vocal jazz, combos and chamber groups. Having a publishing company within the university gives UNC Jazz ensembles access to the latest compositions and helps to stimulate creative flow within the ever-growing program. There are no limitations to the complexity of music available through Jazz Press; interested parties are able to find pieces for beginning jazz ensembles and professional bands alike. Charts are printed to order, which makes Jazz Press eco-friendly and prevents waste. As UNC Jazz Press continues to grow, it continues to increase the body of work carried out in its missions: making available the highest caliber of creative jazz music and providing outreach and service to the global jazz and jazz education communities.

04/30/2026

Meet Antonio J. García, a driving force in jazz education, performance, and creative collaboration across the globe.

A Professor Emeritus and former Director of Jazz Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, García has shaped generations of musicians through his teaching, leadership, and visionary curriculum development. His compositions and arrangements have earned national recognition, with honors from IAJE, ASCAP, and Billboard Magazine, and have been performed by legends such as Sheila Jordan, Arturo Sandoval, and James Moody.

As a performer, García has shared the stage with icons including Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Brubeck, and Phil Collins, and appeared at major festivals like Montreux, North Sea, and New Orleans Jazz Fest. His work spans jazz, orchestral, chamber, and film music, with performances reaching audiences worldwide, including a recent commission at Carnegie Hall.

Beyond the stage and classroom, García is deeply committed to using jazz as a vehicle for connection and impact. His collaborations have supported social justice initiatives, raised significant funds for underserved communities, and inspired students across six continents.

📚 His influential books, including Jazz Improvisation: Practical Approaches to Grading and Cutting the Changes, continue to shape how jazz is taught and learned today.

We’re honored to feature the work of Antonio J. García in our catalog! Explore his music and bring his artistry into your ensemble.

04/23/2026

Thomas Matta is a name synonymous with versatility, artistry, and excellence in the world of jazz and beyond.

A highly accomplished bass trombonist, educator, composer, and arranger, Matta’s career spans international performance stages, recording studios, concert halls, and theater pits. He has collaborated with legendary artists and ensembles including the Count Basie Orchestra, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, and the Woody Herman Orchestra, among many others.

His compositions and arrangements are performed worldwide by leading orchestras, big bands, and chamber ensembles, and are published by respected names such as Kendor Music, Doug Beach Music, Andel Editions, and UNC Jazz Press. His work has also been embraced by jazz greats like Jeff Hamilton, Randy Brecker, and Clark Terry.

As a bandleader, The Tom Matta Big Band—featuring top-tier Chicago musicians—earned critical acclaim with its debut album Components, showcasing his original writing for large ensemble.

In addition to his performance career, Matta is a dedicated educator, having taught jazz ensemble and combos while holding degrees from the University of Minnesota Duluth, the University of Northern Colorado, and DePaul University.

Explore the music, the craft, and the legacy of Thomas Matta.

04/16/2026

Jerry Tolson’s career is a powerful reflection of jazz as both an art form and a lifelong pursuit of excellence.

From his beginnings in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, to his role as professor of jazz studies and music education at the University of Louisville, Tolson has built a legacy that bridges performance, composition, and education. As chair of the Department of Academic and Professional Studies, he directs instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles while teaching jazz pedagogy, history, style, and African American music.

An accomplished composer and arranger, Tolson has written more than 150 original works for instrumental and vocal ensembles, with publications that continue to shape jazz education. His scholarship and writing have appeared in leading journals, and his book The Jazz Commandments remains an essential resource for educators and students alike.

Tolson’s impact extends globally, presenting at major conferences, teaching internationally, and appearing at institutions such as the Sorbonne in Paris. As co-founder of the African American Music Heritage Institute and educational director of the University of Louisville Jazz Festival, he continues to champion the cultural and historical foundations of jazz.

As a performer on saxophone, piano, and vocals, Tolson has shared the stage with artists including the Four Tops, The Temptations, Delfeayo Marsalis, Benny Golson, and James Moody. His ensembles have performed at renowned festivals such as Montreux and Umbria, bringing his original music to audiences around the world.

We’re honored to celebrate Jerry Tolson; an artist, educator, and composer whose influence continues to resonate across generations. Check out his works on our website and enrich your library!

04/09/2026

🎶 We’re proud to spotlight acclaimed Canadian composer and educator Neil Yorke-Slader 🎶

With a distinguished career spanning decades, Neil has composed over 55 works for jazz ensemble, performed on five continents and published through UNC Jazz Press, Burnihla Music Publishing, and J.W. Pepper. Several of his works are preserved in the National Library of Canada archives—an incredible testament to his lasting impact.

A former Superintendent of Instruction with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Neil has inspired generations of young musicians as Head of Music at Earl of March S.S. and J.S. Woodsworth S.S., and through his work as a clinician and adjudicator across Canada and the United States.

Neil is widely regarded as one of Canada’s leading authorities on stage band fundamentals and rehearsal techniques, and his contributions to jazz education extend to his work as a contributor to Jazz Pedagogy: A Canadian Perspective (available through ArtistShare).

His achievements include being named to the MusicFest Canada Hall of Fame (2017), receiving the inaugural Tommy Banks Outstanding Canadian Jazz Director Award (2018), and being honored as a Life Member of the Ontario Music Educators Association.

Currently serving as Executive Director of MusicFest Canada, Neil continues to shape the future of jazz education and performance.

Explore his exceptional catalog and bring his music to your ensemble today.

04/02/2026

Meet Ryan Middagh, Chair of the Department of Jazz and Global Music at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. He is an internationally recognized educator, composer, arranger, and saxophonist whose impact spans classrooms, concert halls, and recording studios around the world.

A passionate advocate for jazz education, Ryan has transformed Blair’s jazz program into one of national and international distinction, earning DownBeat Student Music Awards and invitations to major conferences like the Jazz Education Network. His commitment to creative programming and community engagement continues to shape the next generation of jazz artists.

As a composer and arranger, Ryan has received commissions from leading ensembles across the U.S. and collaborated with renowned artists including Victor Wooten, Wycliffe Gordon, and Jeff Coffin. His music is performed and recorded by top collegiate and professional groups, and we’re proud that several of his works are published right here at UNC Jazz Press.

Whether performing at global festivals, leading the Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra, or mentoring young composers through the Jazz Education Network, Ryan brings a dynamic, forward-thinking voice to every facet of jazz.

Explore his catalog with UNC Jazz Press and discover music that’s shaping the future of jazz!

03/26/2026

Featuring the incredible Vince Norman!

A lifelong musician and acclaimed saxophonist, Vince’s career spans international touring, performances with world-class artists, and appearances at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall. From his work with The U.S. Army Field Band’s Jazz Ambassadors to collaborations with legends like Clark Terry and The Temptations, his experience brings unmatched depth to his writing.

As a composer and arranger, Vince has created outstanding works for jazz ensemble and orchestra, including award-nominated collaborations such as his 2023 Latin Grammy-nominated arrangement from “The Pan American Nutcracker Suite.”

Educator, performer, and composer, Vince Norman’s music is as impactful as his career.

🎼 Explore Vince Norman’s compositions and arrangements through our catalog today.

03/12/2026

🎶 We’re excited to spotlight composer, arranger, conductor, trombonist, and educator Eric Richards. 🎶

A self-described “contemporary American eclectic,” Eric has written music performed on six continents by some of the world’s most respected ensembles, including the National Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the US Army Field Band and Jazz Ambassadors, the USAF Airmen of Note, and many more.

His work has been featured at renowned venues and festivals such as Carnegie Hall, the Midwest Clinic, and the Montreux, North Sea, and Nice Jazz Festivals.

Eric currently serves as Director of Bands and Jazz Studies at Sheridan College, where he mentors the next generation of musicians, and is Music Director and Lead Trombonist of the Bighorn Jazz Orchestra. He also leads the Bighorn Jazz Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing jazz education and performance throughout the Mountain West.

Before entering higher education, Eric spent 20 years as Composer/Arranger for The United States Army Field Band, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant.

We’re honored to feature such an accomplished and influential voice in contemporary music.

03/05/2026

🎶 Meet Dave Stamps 🎶

Dave Stamps is a music educator, arts administrator, composer/arranger, trombonist, and entrepreneur who
currently serves as Associate Professor of Music at Gustavus Adolphus College, where he coordinates both the Jazz Studies and Arts Administration programs, mentoring the next generation of musicians and arts leaders.

Dave is also the Managing Director of the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers (ISJAC), supporting and connecting composers and arrangers around the world.

His academic background includes degrees from the University of Nebraska (DMA in Jazz Composition), the University of South Florida (MM in Jazz Composition), Northern Illinois University (MM in Jazz Performance & Pedagogy), and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (BM in Jazz Studies).

A passionate advocate for jazz education and creative collaboration, Dave continues to inspire students, composers, and performers through teaching, composing, and leadership in the arts.

Check out Dave's works on our website!

02/26/2026

Five individual GRAMMY nominations. A prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship. Performances spanning the globe.

Composer, conductor, and arranger Chuck Owen has built a career defined by imagination, storytelling, and fearless musical exploration. His music has been performed by world-renowned ensembles including the Netherlands’ Metropole Orkest, Germany’s WDR Big Band, the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, among many others.

Since 1995, his primary creative voice has been his 19-piece ensemble, Jazz Surge. Across seven acclaimed albums, the Surge has earned widespread recognition, including four GRAMMY nominations for Whispers On the Wind and additional nominations for River Runs and The Comet’s Tail.

In 2023, Chuck released Renderings with the legendary WDR Big Band, a project shaped by the challenges of COVID yet unified by the joy of collective music-making, landing on numerous “Top 10 Jazz Albums of the Year” lists.

His latest release, Magic Light (April 2024), marks an exciting new chapter. Featuring the septet ReSurgence and acclaimed vocalist Kate McGarry, the album finds Chuck returning to piano, keyboards, and accordion for the first time in over two decades, blending Americana themes, environmental inspiration, and his signature narrative depth in a more intimate ensemble setting.

Beyond performance and recording, Chuck’s impact as an educator and advocate is profound. Founder of the USF Center for Jazz Composition and Past President of the International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers, he has helped shape the future of jazz composition worldwide. After 40 years at the University of South Florida, he now holds the title of Professor Emeritus.

From large-scale orchestral works inspired by American rivers to deeply personal small-ensemble storytelling, Chuck Owen continues to expand the possibilities of jazz composition.

02/19/2026

We honor the life and legacy of Jim McNeely, visionary pianist, composer, educator, and one of the most important large ensemble jazz writers of his generation.

A Chicago native and University of Illinois alumnus, Jim’s journey took him to New York in 1975, where his dynamic piano voice, shaped by heroes like McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, and Chick Corea, quickly established him as a major force. He performed with jazz greats including Stan Getz and Phil Woods, but it was on Monday nights at the legendary Village Vanguard that his most transformative chapter began.

Mentored by icons Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, and Bob Brookmeyer, Jim helped redefine what a big band could be, turning it into a laboratory for advanced harmony, rhythm, and form. His work with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra earned 12 Grammy nominations and a Grammy win in 2008.

Jim brought American big band innovation to Europe, writing for and collaborating with ensembles including the WDR Big Band, Frankfurt Radio Big Band, Metropole Orkest, Danish Radio Big Band, and many more. His 1989 album East Coast Blow Out—featuring John Scofield—remains a landmark in the big band genre.

Beyond the accolades and groundbreaking scores, Jim was known for his wit, generosity, and deep dedication to teaching, including 16 years as music director of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop. He was a beloved collaborator, mentor, and devoted family man, calling his wife Marie his “beautiful pillar of strength.”
As composer Maria Schneider said, “Jim leaves the world a tremendous amount of music… we will continue to discover and study it, play it, marvel at it, and just love it.”

His legacy lives on in every daring harmony, every soaring brass line, and every composer he inspired. 🎶

Address

501 20th Street, Campus Box 28
Greeley, CO
80639

Telephone

(970) 351-2577

Website

http://www.uncjazzpress.com/

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